Mama Shelter Makes Its Hollywood Debut

By Ann Binlot July 18, 2015

mama shelter makes its hollywood debut l — 1. The Front Desk at Mama Shelter Hollywood
2. The restaurant at Mama Shelter Hollywood
3. The restaurant at Mama Shelter Hollywood
4. The restaurant at Mama Shelter Hollywood
5. A room at Mama Shelter Hollywood
6. A room at Mama Shelter Hollywood
7. A room at Mama Shelter Hollywood

mama shelter makes its hollywood debut 24 — 1. The Front Desk at Mama Shelter Hollywood
2. The restaurant at Mama Shelter Hollywood
3. The restaurant at Mama Shelter Hollywood
4. The restaurant at Mama Shelter Hollywood
5. A room at Mama Shelter Hollywood
6. A room at Mama Shelter Hollywood
7. A room at Mama Shelter Hollywood

In the past seven years since Mama Shelter opened its first location, its founders, the Trigano family, who also cofounded Club Med, have turned the chain into one of the hippest — and most affordable — hotels in the world, with locations in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Istanbul and Bordeaux. Mama Shelter just opened its first American location in Los Angeles, where a stay will put you just steps away from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Chef Benjamin Bailly, who has worked in the kitchens of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and L’Atelier Robuchon, is behind the kitchen, which will serve everything a mother would feed her kids; healthy, nutritious and delicious food. Thierry Gaugain designed the interiors for the 70-room hotel, and its Coffee Shop will offer Intelligentsia Coffee and Farmshop pastries. In a few months, the hotel will be complete with a rooftop bar, Venice Beach-style fitness center, and a theater. The Manual quizzed its founder, Benjamin Trigano about Mama Shelter and its new Los Angeles location.

Why did you decide to open a Mama Shelter in Los Angeles?

Related Videos

We have a very simple way of selecting cities to host a Mama, we only go to places where we want to live. And in this case, I live in L.A. and I love it.

What kind of vibe are you going for?

The Mama vibe is warm, welcoming caring and loving, everything a Mama is to her children.

Describe your target market.

Really everyone, because a Mama loves all her children equally. We love to have a mix of people staying and hanging out with us. We find the mix to be authentic and sexy.

You tapped Thierry Gaugain to do the interiors of Mama Shelter Hollywood. Why did you select him? What touches did he add to give it more of a Los Angeles feel?

First, he loves L.A. and it was extremely important to find someone who truly connected with the city. Second, he had never done a hotel and we thought he would bring a fresh take on Mama. Third, he is a great friend and we only work with people we like.

What sets Mama Shelter Hollywood apart from other hotels in the area?

Mama is not trying to be cool like a lot of the so-called boutique hotels. Mama is about letting your guard down and having fun.

Do you want its restaurant, café and bar to be a destination for locals too?

We designed the menu to be for locals and it is an intricate part of Mama’s experience. We want Mama Hollywood to become a true destination for Angelinos.

What was the most important thing your grandfather taught you about running a hotel?

He ran his company like he ran his life, it was all about loving people. That’s what Mama is all about.

For more information about MAMA Shelter Hollywood, visit mamashelter.com/Los_Angeles.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

The Manual | The Essential Guide for Men

Travel

Your Key West travel guide for enjoying Florida’s more bohemian side

Key West travel guide: Where to stay, what to do, and more

Beach in Key West in early morning.

A chain of islands surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Key West is a world apart from the mainland. The southernmost city in the continental United States, the sun-soaked outpost treats visitors to a seamless blend of nature, nightlife, and history. Of course, it's easy to assume the place is little more than a three-mile-long bar -- and that's not entirely untrue. But, beyond the buzz of Duval Street and the side streets full of endless-happy-hour spots, there's more to see in this island paradise than most visitors ever consider. The town has famously been home to literary giants including Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Robert Frost, and Elizabeth Bishop. Of course, the tropical outpost was also the longtime home of Jimmy Buffet, who has regularly paid musical homage to Key West in his songs.

Today, locals appreciate the eccentric, the artistic, the bohemian, and celebrate anyone or anything that’s just a little weird. It's typically a bit more laid back than larger, busier Florida mainstays like Miami and Orlando. Here’s a guide to traveling the United States’ southernmost outpost like a proudly off-kilter local.

Travel

Bang Rak, Thailand – lebua at State Tower may be the best hotel in the city

Our review of Hotel lebua, the best luxury hotel in Bangkok

lebua hotel Bangkok.

Bang Rak is one of the most historic districts in Bangkok. Here, along the water at the Saphan-Taksim sky train stop, you’ll find the oldest street in the city — Charoen Krung — along which are a slew of delicious-smelling street food opportunities, jewel, gem, and souvenir shops, the Robinson department store, and a delightful bustle of markets tucked away in the intersecting alleyways. Soaring over it all is the lebua at State Tower, one of the most renowned hotels in Thailand.

In addition to the hotel, a so-called vertical destination, guests have access to a smattering of impressive restaurants, several of which offer magnificent panoramic views of the city from the 68-story building’s rooftop. I recently spent several days exploring lebua and the surrounding neighborhood, and I can say with confidence that it is an essential Thailand travel experience.

Travel

Cabo: Baja’s popular beachfront destination isn’t exactly what you think it is

Get under the radar with the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

things to do in cabo san lucas, Mexico Resorts and Condos

We’re hesitant to describe any destination in terms of “tourist versus non-tourist” because it's a silly distinction. But Cabo San Lucas has always been an unabashed tourist-centric town full of all-inclusive, budget beach resorts, never-ending 3-for-1 happy hours at bars (and gas stations and a surprising number of other places), and garish dive bars like Cabo Wabo where tequila is (almost) cheaper than water and the neon daiquiris flow every day from 8 a.m.

However, the city boasts a strange charm that most hardcore Mexican tourist centers lack. So, if none of this is your cup of horchata — if you’re looking to dig a little deeper — here are a few of our favorite places to play, eat, and stay in Baja California’s most well-known waterfront playground.
Know your geography